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On the way home, Akira was chatting with Shimizu Kiyoko.
"Eh! Like you mentioned last time, how's the search for a new manager going?"
As if it had suddenly crossed his mind, Akira turned his head and asked.
"Hmm... Right now, I can only say that there's a slight lead."
Kiyoko brushed the hair from her forehead, her brows slightly furrowed.
"I'm thinking of finding some first-years who haven't joined any clubs yet and asking if they're interested in joining the volleyball club."
"Then the next time you go, call me along!"
"Huh? Don't you have training?"
Kiyoko came closer, grabbed Akira's hand, and looked up at him as she asked.
"Well... I'll come with you during recess!"
"There's still time after school, so I can go to training a bit later."
"You really don't have to sacrifice your own time just for this..."
Kiyoko lowered her head, her voice barely louder than a whisper.
"My own time?"
Akira's expression shifted slightly.
"Ahem! Kiyoko, you should know me better than that."
"Hmm."
Kiyoko didn't raise her head again, just leaned it gently on Akira's shoulder.
"Then you know that if it's something I don't enjoy doing, I usually won't force myself to do it."
"So, whatever I do in my free time... it's always because I want to."
This time, Kiyoko didn't say anything more.
She simply held Akira's hand a little tighter.
Their figures stretched longer and longer under the soft glow of the streetlamps...
At Tanaka's house, the second-years were studying hard for the upcoming final exams.
Every day during the lunch break, Hinata and Kageyama would come to Akira to review exam material.
And after club activities in the evening, Akira would walk home together with Kiyoko.
Tsukishima and Yamaguchi often helped Hinata and Kageyama brush up on their basic knowledge.
However, after this tutoring period...
Akira reached an understanding with Tsukishima and the others.
That is...
Kageyama and Hinata just aren't cut out for academics.
...
During the morning recess, Akira was writing in his homework notebook.
If he finished the assignments from the previous night at school, he'd have more free time after classes.
Smack.
Just as he was writing, a pair of hands suddenly landed on his shoulders.
"Huh?"
He turned to see Kiyoko standing behind him, smiling at his notebook.
"You're here!"
Akira put down his pen, stood up, and took Kiyoko's hand.
"About finding a new manager... Why don't we start with our class?"
"Okay!"
Kiyoko nodded. There were a few students in Akira's class who weren't in any clubs.
That's exactly why she came here.
"Let's see..."
She flipped through a small stack of papers in her hand.
"The first candidate... is a classmate named Hitoka Yachi. Do you know her?"
Hearing that name, Akira scratched his head, a bit surprised.
"Although we haven't talked much, I do recognize her."
"She's... the girl who sits by the window, right? Doesn't seem to be in the classroom right now."
"Why don't we head out and wait?"
The two of them walked out into the corridor.
Just as they stepped outside, Akira noticed a familiar face slowly walking toward them.
It was easy to tell she was shy.
Even the way she walked—hugging the wall—gave it away.
"Hey? Hello? Hitoka Yachi?"
Hearing Akira's voice, the girl with short, pale blonde hair froze in place.
"Uh..."
"...A-Akira-kun..."
This! Why is Akira talking to me?!
Why does someone like him—popular, smart, handsome—notice someone like me?!
Am I going to be hunted down by his fangirls?!
From the moment he entered Karasuno, Akira had become a standout figure—his outstanding grades and model-like looks drew constant attention.
In the beginning, girls flocked to his seat almost daily just to chat.
But Akira, though polite, always maintained a certain distance from them.
Eventually, the visits grew fewer and fewer, and the rejections started piling up.
Still, many girls secretly admired him.
Even in class, his seat constantly drew glances.
And now... he was talking to her directly?!
Hitoka Yachi felt like time had frozen.
Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
Kiyoko, noticing her hesitation, also turned toward her.
She's so beautiful...
Is she an upperclassman?
Yachi had now entered a full mental freeze.
"Hello, Hitoka Yachi!"
Kiyoko stepped forward and started explaining the volleyball team's search for a new manager.
But Yachi wasn't processing a single word.
She just stared at Kiyoko's mouth moving, rooted to the spot.
She's talking to me!
She's so pretty! So elegant!
It's over! I'm doomed!
Akira and this gorgeous third-year are talking to me at the same time!
If their fans find out, I'll be assassinated!!
Akira, observing the scene, felt the corners of his mouth twitch involuntarily.
These two—one was talking non-stop...
The other appeared to be nodding, seemingly listening... but clearly wasn't.
"So... why don't you try it out as a temporary manager?"
"U-Um... okay!!"
Without even fully understanding Kiyoko's words, Yachi blurted out her agreement on impulse.
Kiyoko was visibly surprised.
She hadn't expected it to go this smoothly.
The first student she approached had actually agreed!
"Alright then, I'll head out first! I'll come find you after school!"
"You can also wait here with Akira if you want!"
Yachi turned around just as Akira waved at her with a smile.
"Uh... o-okay!"
Her neck stiffened like a board.
This is it! I'm finished!
After school, I'll be hanging out with these two...
Their fans are going to murder me!